Swede aiming for career high in Bay
It’s fair to say Anders Eriksson has put in the kilometres in search of highs from the beautiful game.
The Swedish centreback has experienced state league wins and playoff titles with the Adelaide-based Seaford Rangers in Australia. He has also played in winning promotion teams in Norway and Sweden.
“But I’m still waiting for my big highlight. Hopefully it will happen here in the Bay,” Eriksson said in the countdown to his sixth-placed Thirsty Whale Hawke’s Bay United team’s third round IPS Handa Premiership clash against Auckland City in the big smoke tomorrow.
To Eriksson’s credit, he is realistic about the Bay team’s chances, too.
“We’re a good team with a lot of new faces. We haven’t glued but we’re getting better and better every week. We’ve had a slow start but we’re on the right way,” Eriksson explained.
The 24-year-old, who is on a one-year contract with the Brett Angell-coached outfit, is in his first season in New Zealand and is impressed with what he sees.
“It’s a beautiful country. The football is of a good standard and the league is competitive and professional.”
A veteran of more than 20 years in the code, Eriksson is a mobile, athletic defender who has plenty of pace.
“I like to play out from the back and join in. I read the game and I defend more with my brain than my body,” Eriksson said.
His positional play and ability to be more physical are his workons. Eriksson admitted his knowledge of the unbeaten thirdplaced Auckland City side wasn’t as good as it should be.
“I know they are the best team in the country and have been for a number of years . . . they are the team to beat. They will be a good challenge and it should be a good game. It is good timing to get them now . . . we can gauge our improvement.”
When he isn’t playing or training for football Eriksson, who is single, will more than likely be found working in a furniture warehouse.
“Every day I feel like I have been to the gym. It is hard to combine all the work with my football commitments but it is good for me.”
Eriksson labelled ice hockey and skiing as his biggest hobbies. There’s little chance of him fitting in either of those pursuits during the summer season with Hawke’s Bay United so he should be fully focused on Angell’s quest to guide his team back to the top four.
Angell pointed out Eriksson is still learning the game.
“In possession he is consistent. He needs to improve his decision-making when out of possession. Slowly but surely he is getting to grasp things. His understanding of his fellow unit will improve the longer he plays.”
Other third round fixtures will see Wellington Phoenix host Waitakere United today and tomorrow Hamilton Wanderers host Southern United, Canterbury United host Eastern Suburbs and Team Wellington host Tasman United.